Breaking free from a five-way tie for the lead early on the back-nine of a fascinating and ever-changing final round, world number-14 Justin Thomas emerged as the winner of the 99th USPGA Championship at Quail Hollow. The 24-year old American reached eight-under par with a closing 68 to claim the year’s fourth and final Grand Slam title by two shots. Three players - Patrick Reed, Francesco Molinari, Louis Oosthuizen - tied for second place.

The clinching moment was the 15-foot putt Thomas made for a two on the short 17th - the second component in Quail Hollow’s so-called “Green Mile.” It was only the fourth birdie of the day on the 221-yard par-3 and afforded him the luxury of a bogey on the potentially treacherous closing hole. Having driven into the left-hand fairway bunker, golf’s newest major champion played safely for the five that clinched his fourth PGA Tour victory of the season and made him $1,890,000 richer.

Justin Thomas celebrates during his final round at Quail Hollow on Sunday

“To make a birdie at 17 was beyond a bonus,” confirmed Thomas, who was warmly greeted by close pals Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler as he left the 18th green. “My aim was to be patient all day. I didn’t do that at the US Open this year and so didn’t have my best stuff. I just needed to be more patient. I felt like I had the game to win and I was hitting the ball so far today with all the adrenaline.”

Indeed, the Kentucky-native is very much a golfer in the modern mould. Despite weighing less than 11-stone, Thomas is startlingly long off the tee and hits seemingly every shot with 100-percent effort. There are no in-betweens in his game, just full-out aggression, an aspect of his character that has cost him dearly in the past. After shooting a record third-round 63 in the US Open two months ago, he fell away to a T-9 finish with a disappointing 75. There was no mistake this time, however.

The leading British player, Jordan Smith, finished T-9 on one-under par 283. Only two years removed from competing on the EuroPro Tour - European golf’s third division - the 24-year from Bath closed with a three-under par 68 that was bogey-free until the 18th. Indeed, this latest chapter in Smith’s career is but the latest step in his seemingly seamless rise through the professional ranks. Leading money-winner on the EuroPro circuit in 2015, the former Walker Cup player repeated that feat a year later on the Challenge Tour. And this season he has already won on the European Tour, at the recent Porsche European Open.

“Jordan is really, really good,” confirmed Open Championship runner-up Matt Kuchar, who shot a 68 of his own in Smith’s company. “He drove it beautifully and long. And, although he didn’t miss many shots, when he did he was pretty good at recovering. There aren’t many weaknesses in his game. He has the sort of effortless power that reminds me of Louis Oosthuizen.”

Justin Thomas (left) is greeted by Jordan Spieth after walking off the 18th green Credit:
EPA

Smith himself was obviously delighted that his debut in an American major turned out so well. He even won the battle with namesake Spieth for the unofficial title of “low Jordan.” Which represents something akin to payback-time. Regularly mistaken for the Open champion, Smith was even introduced as “Jordan Spieth” at the Challenge Tour Grand Final last year.

“I’m really, really happy with the way I played today,” said Smith, before paying tribute to his swing coach, Simon Shanks (no kidding). “It was a bit of a shame about the last hole but overall I’m just really chuffed with myself. I’m still pinching myself really. I’ve had some really good playing partners, enjoyed the whole experience and ended up playing some really good golf.

“I’ve just been letting it all happen and enjoying myself. I’ve put in some hard work with my team back home. I just need to keep doing what I’m doing. It has worked so far, so I’m just hoping that progression can keep going.”

If it does, a major championship victory would seem to be the logical next step.